Białoruś Łukaszenki – od demokracji do rządów autorytarnych

Alexander Lukashenko assumed power in 2004, having won the first democratic presidential elections in Belarus. Shortly after the elections, he set about reinforcing his position and took steps to restore the solutions applied during soviet times, the only difference being that the President’s administrative powers began to expand, instead of those of political party structures. The presidential position was further strengthened as a consequence of a referendum held in May 1995, when Belarusian society supported Lukashenko’s efforts aimed at closer integration of his country with Russia. The electorate also approved the return of a slightly modified national emblem and flag from the soviet times, and the equality of rights of the Russian and Belarusian languages. Struggling against the opposition, the President was aware that the durability of his success would depend on restoring balance to the national economy. The steps he proposed for this purpose assumed returning to the solutions applied during the times of a centrally planned economy, proposals which were supported by the majority of Belarusians. In the early 21st century, the authoritarian Belarusian system was founded on a relatively smoothly operating centrally controlled economy and increasing control of the state in the realms of politics and culture. More than fifteen years of Alexander Lukashenko’s rule have shown him capable of establishing an efficient system allowing a single person to hold power while maintaining a superficial appearance of democracy. The authoritarian system of Belarus skillfully combines nostalgia for the soviet system with strong presidential authority.